Communities at the Center: Designing Local Solutions for Flood Resilience
By Aisha Hamisi
Under the Ramani Zetu, Sauti Zetu project, funded by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the first in a series of three participatory workshops, Community Insights Workshops, was conducted across five selected flood-prone wards in Dar es Salaam — Tabata, Ubungo, Makurumla, Keko, and Mabibo. These workshops were designed to place communities at the center of disaster preparedness planning by capturing local knowledge, validating mapped data, and collectively identifying practical solutions to reduce flood risks.
The workshops brought together more than 160 participants, ranging from ward-level representatives to national stakeholders. Attendees included Ward Executive Officers (WEO’s), Mtaa Executive Officers (MEOs), Subward Chairpersons, Ward Disaster Management Committee (WDMC) members, district and regional representatives, the Disaster Management Department (DMD) from the Prime Minister’s Office, the ward’s police, the Tanzania Red Cross, NGOs, and other key actors. This diverse participation ensured that discussions reflected both grassroots realities and institutional perspectives, strengthening coordination across all levels.
The workshop attendees were trained on the national disaster management system, delivered by representatives from DMD. This session helped align all participants with existing frameworks, roles, and procedures for disaster response in Tanzania. Building on this foundation, participants were then divided into working groups to review ward maps developed through community mapping activities. These maps served as a basis for in-depth discussions on flood history, high-risk areas, evacuation routes, safe zones, and challenges faced during past flood events.
Through guided discussions, participants contributed to the development of Community Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans (CDPRP). They identified clear roles and responsibilities within the ward disaster management structure, strengthening the chain of command and coordination during emergencies. Participants also responded to structured planning questions, ensuring that all key elements of preparedness and response were captured and will be integrated into the final plans.
One of the most impactful outcomes of the workshops was the identification of locations for Community-Based Early Warning Systems (CBEWS). Ward leaders and community representatives provided valuable input on where to install sirens, poles, and wall identification to draw murals to ensure maximum visibility and effectiveness. In addition, participants pinpointed locations for community clean-up activities, school-based awareness campaigns, and strategic points where the final preparedness plans will be displayed for public access.
The workshops also created space to discuss practical, locally driven solutions to reduce flood risks, including improvements to drainage systems, waste management practices, and community awareness. By combining technical mapping data with lived experiences, the process ensured that the resulting plans are not only evidence-based but also context-specific and actionable.
Importantly, this is the first workshop in a series of three Community Participatory Workshops forming part of an iterative process that will include further validation, refinement, and strengthening of the plans. Some discussions required additional follow-up, with responsible individuals tasked with gathering more information and reporting back, ensuring that the plans are comprehensive and inclusive.
As this first phase concludes, the insights gathered will directly inform the ongoing development of the CDPRPs for the five selected wards. These plans will play a critical role in strengthening community resilience by ensuring that residents are better prepared before floods occur and can respond effectively when disasters strike.
The second workshop (community plan, mitigations needed, and gaps identification) focuses on translating findings from the first session into practical actions to reduce flood risk and improve preparedness. Using the same participants, the team will develop a clear communication plan and chain of command for before, during, and after flood events. It will also identify evacuation routes and key safety features, define safe locations and public assembly points, and outline the roles and responsibilities of the Ward Disaster Management Committee (WDMC) to ensure effective implementation of the flood response plan.
In addition, the workshop will assess preparedness needs by identifying required resources, tools, and equipment, as well as key knowledge and skills gaps, such as rescue operations and first aid training. Participants will also define actions for WDMCs across all phases of flooding, provide feedback on the draft Early Warning System, and agree on suitable locations for installing community plans and murals to ensure visibility and accessibility.
